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My diabetic dog has sudden bloody diarrhea. Is this normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Male | neutered | 11 years and 11 months old | 15 lbs

My Maltese has diabetes and just all of a sudden he started having diarrhea and tonight it's bloody is that normal?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 14th, 2017

Poor guy. No this isn't normal for a diabetic dog to all of a sudden have signs of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (bloody stool). HGE is typically caused by stress to the pet, or sometimes a bloody disorder. Toby needs to see a vet right away for antibiotics, probiotics, and also an full examination to make sure no blood disorder is the cause of this. Until you can get him in to be seen, you should only feed him a bland diet of either boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese OR Purina EN Gastrointestinal, to help combat his highly sensitive and compromised GI (gastrointestinal-stomach and intestines) tract.
Here is a website link that has some useful information on this condition http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2946

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Oh dear! No, this isn't normal. Any illness like this can be especially serious in a diabetic dog, so I would recommend taking Toby to an emergency vet tonight. The vet can do a fecal exam and blood work or other testing if needed to help determine what is causing the bloody diarrhea and get him started on appropriate treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on July 15th, 2017
Poor Junior! There are a number of different things that could cause these symptoms. Diabetic pets are very prone to pancreatitis, which can often cause vomiting and diarrhea. Dark tarry stool can be a sign of bleeding in the stomach or intestines, such as from a stomach ulcer. Increased urination could be due to a UTI (also very common in diabetic dogs), liver or kidney disease, or high blood sugar if his diabetes is not well-regulated.

Since diabetic pets can get very sick, very quickly and may develop serious complications, I would really recommend taking Junior to an emergency vet for an exam this evening if possible. The vet can do some blood and urine testing to help determine what is causing his symptoms, and get him started on appropriate treatment right away to minimize the risk of serious problems.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Poor dog. Bloody loose stool is called hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) and is commonly caused by stress on the GI tract, although other possibilities are still possible. Which is why it is always recommended to get your pet checked by your veterinarian for a full exam, to make sure they are stable. And then the pet is typically prescribed an antibiotic (i.e. Metronidazole) and a probiotic to help the pet recover from this episode. Care has to be taken in the future to avoid stressful events, and also to limit food changes that can upset the GI (gastrointestinal) tract again, causing another bout of HGE. Here is more information on this condition. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2946

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